The biophilia hypothesis explored: regenerative urban green spaces and well-being in a Portuguese sample

ABSTRACT

This paper considers the relationship between biophilia and well-being in a sample of users of urban green spaces in the city of Porto (Portugal) as a case study. The biophilia hypothesis is explored through the responses of 131 participants in a survey. Users of urban green spaces valued their provision of quiet and shade, with a high diversity of plant species and tranquillity. The survey also found that being satisfied with urban green spaces enhances self-perceived health status, which means that being satisfied with a green space that fulfils users’ expectations can be a way to improve well-being in urban areas. Creating stimulating regenerative urban green spaces offers the possibility to experience significant connections to nature.

KEYWORDS:

• Biophilia
• green spaces
• well-being
• regenerative
• design

Acknowledgments

This work was developed in the scope of the projects “Composing worlds: humanities, well-being and health in the 21st century” (Compor mundos: humanidades, bem-estar e saúde no século XXI), supported by Fundação Ensino e Cultura Fernando Pessoa (FFP) and “Beyond the Greenness: gardens and public parks as response to the contemporary socio-environmental challenges. The case study of the city of Porto (Portugal)” (Além do Verde: os jardins e parques urbanos na resposta aos desafios socioambientais contemporâneos. Estudo de caso da cidade do Porto), funded by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, through the Doctoral Scholarship with the reference SFRH/BD/143238/2019. The authors would like to thank UFP Energy, Environment and Health Research Unit, a research and development unit recognized by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).